After seeing all those nice Rugers on the Post your Ruger Photos thread, I had to start this thread before I was accused of high jacking the photo thread!

Those revolvers look so good!
I've been considering going to a larger caliber gun and would like any impressions on shooting of these larger caliber guns. .... Like gp100 vs sp101 in 357. Recoil?? Which do you like better?
And especially the Blackhawks (convertibles, too) and Redhawks in those 45 calibers (45colt vs 45 ACP) and 44 Mag vs 44 special -- and maybe a comparison in similar guns between the 45 and the 44 Mag - recoil wise. I realize that this is somewhat of an unfair comparison because there is a big weight difference between the Blackhawk and the Redhawk, but ...
Heck... even throw in the Alaskan line - if you like!
I love Rugers!
Have a Single Six convertible, LCP, LC9, Mark III, and LCR.

trip

12-11-2012 01:14 PM

I'm A Ruger fan as well! .41 blackhawk, .45 auto and several mark 2s. Red label, 10/22s. In the process of modding my 10/22 for a target gun. I will leave the other as a field gun. I really like them all but the .41 mag is my all time, go to gun. I think it's just because it fits me so well. It's incredibly accurate. The draw back is it can be difficult to get bullets to reload, probably will start casting them myself. I forgot but I also have a GP 100.

kytowboater

12-11-2012 01:19 PM

Seen the magnum research BFR in 45-70?!

25-5

12-11-2012 04:47 PM

I have S&W revolvers in all the calibers you mention. Rugers are great as well, but caliber is the question. If I chose one it would be .44 spl./mag. .44 spl. is a nice controlable chunk of lead and having the mag. as alternate is best of both worlds. I reload only mag. cases, lead for specials and hollow points for mag. If you practise with the mag. it becomes not so formidable.

bluez

12-11-2012 05:04 PM

I own a few revolvers in .357 Magnum.
4 Rugers and one taurus.

The GP100's are well balanced and recoil is managable.

I have alwauys felt that .357 Magnum is the ideal self defense cartridge because it is powerful enough to virtually guarantee a knock down on the first center mass hit but still managable from a recoil and traing effort/training cost standpoint.

Anything more is too muc,h as a self defense round IMO, as you will find yourself training less and less due to painful recoil and greater ammo expense with say a 44 Magnum

bluez

12-11-2012 09:36 PM

5 Attachment(s)

A few examples here:

Colby

12-12-2012 08:04 AM

Sounds like 357 may be the way to go.
But I was thinking with the 44 magnum, that the weight of the gun being greater might soften up the recoil some.
I have not fired one of these larger calibers.

But even the 38 Special out of my little S&W Airweight gives a pretty good jolt. Not the most pleasant gun to shoot. But it is pretty light weight.
My Ruger LCP 380 falls in that not so pleasant category, too. But that gun is very light. The LCP is somewhere around 12 oz - and the 38 around 14 oz, I believe.
I know the larger guns - like 44 Mag - go up to as much as 44 oz. That would be a lot greater recoil softening weight.

scottybaccus

12-12-2012 08:20 AM

20-30 years ago, Charter Arms made a nice revolver in their .44 spl Bulldog. I've heard some concerns about their recent production, but nothing I could substantiate. I think I'd give it another go if I ran across one.

In any case, it pays to buy the magnum and shoot specials and shorts when practicing, saving the magnum noise and recoil for when you need it.

John_Deer

12-12-2012 09:08 AM

We have a SP101 and 357 Blackhawk convertible. The SP101 is a small gun with a 2.25" barrel. For such a short barrel it is a good shooting gun. The Blackhawk is a beast with a 6 1/2" barrel. The Blackhawk is built like a tank. Ruger had no concern for weight when they designed the Blackhawk, everything about it is over built. For a hunting weapon a blackhawk is tough to beat. The SP101 was designed to be an EDC weapon and it fills that role nicely. I have an old Charter that fills that role well too. The Charter is not as accurate as the Ruger but it does what it was designed to do, put a 357 mag bullet into an attacker at close range, first time, every time.

For self defense and range use the 357 is a decent cartridge. For hunting the 44 mag fired from a 7.5" barrel is best. In the woods a handgun is a huge compromise. You need all the help you can get in the woods. I never carry a handgun as my primary weapon when hunting. Game does have a way of appearing when you are away from your rifle/shotgun, a large handgun is the answer.

Scottybaccus mentioned concerns with the new Charters. I have heard the same rumors. Charter has been repurchased by the original owners. I am concerned about the composite trigger guards and the workmanship of the new Charters. Yes, the new Charters are lighter than the old Charters but will they stand up to 50 years of EDC? Only time will tell. I wouldn't touch the Charters with a ported barrel with a ten foot pole. It's not that porting makes the gun weak. I don't like the idea of being blinded at night for very little benefit. The muzzle flash from a 2" 357 is large. I don't like the idea of the muzzle flash being directed into my field of view.

trip

12-21-2012 12:39 PM

Of all my guns; the blackhawk in .41 is my favorite. I don't take very good care of it but it doesn't seem to mind. It's kinda like a good dog.